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The woman behind the popular Zombee Candle is helping locals take artistic endeavors from hobbies to careers.

Kate Rhea Hesson recently opened The Highland Roux — a storefront incubator for artists — in the space adjacent to The Sleepy Hollow: Books & Gifts at 444 Olive St.

“It’s kind of a greenhouse for small businesses,” said Hesson, 34, of the new space.

The Roux is co-curated by Jennifer Ham, 43, who also manages the Hollow. She's thrilled to be working with Hesson in what she considers an incredibly supportive environment.

"I've always loved Highland and working at The Roux makes me feel closer to the community than ever," Ham said.

In addition to its facet as a storefront incubator, the Highland Roux also is a small art gallery and event space.

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Cookie Dubois clothing available at Highland Roux, a business connected with Sleepy Hollow that sells goods from local artists.(Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

Hesson said the Highland Roux is nothing like an antique mall, where vendors pay as much as $400 for a booth among hundreds of others. Creating a concept where local artists pay only a nominal fee for showcasing their wares is something Hesson hopes will lure creative types to the location.

"I love the idea of the Roux because it allows people like myself who are just starting out to have a storefront without actually having a store front," said Brooke Lynn Estrada, one of the vendors within the shop. "We get to garner new clients and learn as we go without the financial fallout if we stumble along the way."

At Hello Sweetie, Estrada sells homemade chocolates and candies that come in all shapes and flavors, as well as hand-made accessories.

Hesson thinks one of the best facets of her latest endeavor is the ability for cross promotion within the arts community. Each person with a booth is promoting the same place where fellow artists share space. What’s more, the already existing Sleepy Hollow is promoting them as well.

Michael Holder, creator of Tiger Custom Woodwork, is thrilled at the opportunity offered by Hesson at Highland Roux.

"She's helped me out a lot and she's helping out a lot of locals by doing what she does," Holder said.

Three-month contracts run $200 per month, while six-month contracts are $175 per month. Artists can pay monthly or in full, and the contract allows for an option to renew the relationship at the end.

“It’s something I would have loved to have four years ago when I was making Zombee candles in my bedroom,” said Hesson.

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The wall of Sleepy Hollow is furniture that was cut and painted and fit on the wall as a display shelf.(Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

Before opening The Sleepy Hollow, Hesson had nowhere to sell her wares other than at markets every three months.

“It’s such a hustle – these people have full time jobs and on weekends they go out of town to all the markets to try to make money with their business. I’m trying to help them skip a few steps here. It took me six years to get a storefront,” Hesson said.

Shawmarie Jeffery is the brainchild behind Inexplicable Things — a brand of hand-crafted candles, floor washes and herbal remedies, gris gris bags and more. Jeffery said she's pleased to have Highland Roux as a physical spot for commerce for her one-of-a-kind creations.

Rachel Stuart-Haas will begin a three-part astrology workshop lecture series in September. The series will include information on numerology, astrology and the Tarot.

Hesson already has hosted book signings for local author Lela Robichaux with her debut fantasy novel — "Reborn" — and "Boots in the Grass" author Walter Delphin, a Vietnam veteran who now works as a private investigator.

CovenCo – the brand that Hesson created to sell her locally famous Zombee candles and other accoutrements – also has begun make-and-take parties where small groups can come in and get an essential oils mini workshop. Participants can also make their own custom scents to put into body sprays and take away with them.

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Kate Hesson opened the space next door to her Sleepy Hollow shop to feature the items of local artists and business owners.(Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith/The Times)

"There's something for everyone here, and that's the way it should be," Hesson said.